Spring actuated electric switch with particular latching dog arrangement

ABSTRACT

An oil switch having a switch blade operating assembly with springs threin in which energy is stored as a switch handle is moved to open or close the switch, the assembly being restrained from rotation by a latching means until the handle means released the latching means at which time the assembly, under the influence of the stored spring energy, will rapidly move or rotate the switch blade means into a closed or open position relative to the stationary contacts.

United States Patent Ray, deceased et a1.

[45] Nov. 11, 1975 SPRING ACTUATED ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH PARTICULARLATCHING DOG ARRANGEMENT Inventors: Dick Ray, deceased, late of Tulsa.

Okla; Gene R. Stevens, Milwaukee, Wis.

Filed: Oct. 30, 1972 Appl. No.: 302,019

US. Cl 200/153 SC; 74/97; 200/70 Int. Cl. H0111 21/42; H0lh 3/30 Fieldof Search 200/153 SC, 67 B, 63 R,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1930 Fisher l 200/70 5/1960Starr 200/153 SC X 10/1965 Lusk et a1. 200/153 SC 3,403,565 10/1968Kovats 200/63 R X 3.590.183 6/1971 Leonard 200/70 X FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 931,400 2/1948 France 200/70 Primary Emminer-Robert K.Schaeff Assistant Eraminer-Robert A. Vanderhye Attorney. Agent, orFirm-D. Verner Smythe et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT An oil switch having a switch blade operating assemblywith springs therein in which energy is stored as a switch handle ismoved to open or close the switch, the assembly being restrained fromrotation by a latching means until the handle means released thelatching means at which time the assembly, under the influence of thestored spring energy, will rapidly move or rotate the switch blade meansinto a closed or open position relative to the stationary contacts.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 4 3,919,512

U.S. Patant Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 2 014 3,919,512

US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,919,512

US. Patent Nc w. 11, 1975 Sheet4 of4 3,919,512

SPRING ACTUATED ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH PARTICULAR LATCHING DOG ARRANGEMENTThis invention relates to electric switches and particularly to switchesrequiring fast operation to prevent or inhibit arcing.

Numerous forms of switch mechanisms are known for attempting to obtainsudden and abrupt engagement or disengagement of contacts under load. Itis especially desirable to be able to open the contacts when underelectrical load without an objectionable or excessive arcing. A switchwhich is operated directly by a handle by an operator is especiallysusceptible to areing because of a slowing or reversing movement by theoperator when the blade is in close proximity to the stationarycontacts.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved operatingstructure for fast operation of an electric switch arrangement.

In one aspect of the invention. a switch blade means is operable by astored energy operating means. the operating means having a latchingarrangement for preventing movement of the operating means and blademeans until an operating handle has been moved sufficiently forenergizing springs in the stored energy operating means. Then, furthermovement of the handle will unlatch the latching means to permit theswitch blades abruptly to engage or disengage with stationary switchcontacts.

These and other objects. advantages and features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description and drawings which aremerely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a four switch assembly with a portion of thecasing broken away;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the switch operating mechanism lookingalong the line 2-2 of FIG. 3;'

FIG. 3 is a view partially in section looking in the direction 3-3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the switch in an offposition;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 except that the operating handle has beenmoved toward the on position;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 except that the switch blade has been movedto the "on" position;

FIG. 7 is similar to the form shown in FIG. 2 except that it has adouble arm; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of the arm mechanism of the form shown in FIG. 2.

In the various views and where appropriate. the same parts will beindicated by like reference numerals.

A switch assembly with four switches therein is shown in FIG. 1. One ofmore switches could be used. Switch enclosure is arranged to contain theoperating mechanisms and can be filled with insulating oil as is knownin the art. Switch blades 21 are operated by the stored energy operatingassembly indicated generally as 22, as will be described hereafter. Asan example, switch blade 21 can be connected through suitable pivots 23to the electrical bushing connections 24. Contact members 25 can beconnected in the usual manner to 26. The right-hand switch A is shown inopen position, and switch mechanism B is shown in closed position.

The stored energy operating assembly is shown in open position in FIG.2. In the form shown. switch blade assembly 21 can take variousconfigurations. In

the illustrated blade assembly. spaced blades 28, 29 are pivotallyconnected to posts 30 by means of a pivot pin or bolt 31. Pivot bolt ormeans 31 has nuts 32, 33 and a spring 34 for maintaining the blades 28,29 in an assembled relationship to each other and to posts 30. The upperor contact-making ends are flared outwardly at 35, 36 and are held inrelated position by a bolt assembly 37 which has a spring means 38. Thespring will permit the blades to separate as they move onto stationarycontact 25 so as to grip firmly the contact and also to provide for anymisalignment. The spacing of blades 35, 36 is made such so that theblades will properly straddle fixed contacts 25 as the blade is moved toclosed position.

Describing one of the switches. front wall 39 of enclosure 20 has hub 40thereon which provides journal 41 for receiving the bored or aperturedshaft 42 which is connected to spring arm 43. Received within the boreof shaft 42 is the stored energy operating assembly shaft 44.

The stored energy operating assembly includes plates 45 and 46 which areheld in spaced relation by spacer means 47. Mounted on plate 45 arelatching dogs 48, 49 which are pivotally mounted to the plate on pivotpins 50, 51. The dogs have rearwardly extending pins 52., 53 (FIG. 2)which are arranged in apertures 54, 55 so that the dogs can be pivotedabout the pivot pins 50, 51.

Dog springs 56, 57 normally hold the dogs in a latching positionrelative to lugs 58, 59. Lugs 58, 59 are stationary or can be carried onfront cover plate 39 of enclo-sure 20. Stored energy springs 60, 61, 62and 63 are carried between the plates 45 and 46. Mating ends of springs62, 63 are carried on pins 64 mounted on each end of spring arm 43. Theouter ends of the springs are mounted on pins 65 which are slidablycarried in slots 66 in plates 45, 46, such being arranged so that thepins can slide in slots 66 as the springs are compressed by movement ofarm 43.

Switch operating lever or handle 67 is fastened to the spring arm shaft42. The handle can be operated manually or by a suitable operatingmotor. A pointer 44A can be mounted on shaft 44 so as to indicateposition of the assembly and the switch blades.

The switch blades are fastened to transverse blade arm which in turn isconnected to bracket 76 on end plate 46. The center of rotation of theswitch blades about their pivots 31 is related to the center of rotationof the stored energy spring assembly so that rotation of the assemblywill cause movement of the blades relative to the fixed contacts 25.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the switch is shown in its open" position. Asoperating arm or handle 67 is moved counterclockwise. spring arm 43 willbe moved so that springs 61 and 63 are stretched, the plates 45 and 46being held by the latching dogs and lug from rotation. The other ends ofsprings 60 and 62 will slide in the slots 66 as the springs tend to becompressed or not stretched as shown. Thus. energy will commence to bestored in the stored energy spring mechanism. As mentioned. the assembly22 is prevented from rotating by lug 58 contacting latching dog 49.

Continued rotation of switch operating arm 67, as seen in FIG. 5, willfurther stretch the springs until the cam surface 68 of spring arm 43contacts pin 53 of dog 49. As a result. the stored energy assembly 22 isnow released from being held by lug 58 so that it will snapcounterclockwise to the position shown in FIG. 6. Dog 49 will bereturned to its normal position and will be moved into contact with lag59 so as to stop further rotation of the spring assembly at apredetermined position. As a result. the energized springs will rapidlyrotate the stored energy operating assembly so that switch blade 27 willbe snapped into closed position on switch contacts 25.

Similarly, when it is desired to open the switch. operating handle 67will be moved clockwise (FIG. 6) which will store energy in springs 60,62 until the cam surface 69 on the opposite end of arm 43 contacts pin52 of dog 48 and releases the mechanism from lug 59. This will thenpermit the stored energy of the stretched springs to snap the switchblade rapidly and break electrical contact between blade 2] and itsfixed contact 25. The movement is rapid so that any are that might startis rapidly extinguished.

The form of operating arm 43 is shown in more detail in FIG. 8. The camsurfaces 68 and 69 thereof are shown together with pins 64 for receivingthe ends of the springs.

HO. 7 illustrates another form of the invention in which there is aduplicate set of dogs and a double spring arm 70. The purpose of thisarrangement is to further ensure the operation in the event one set ofdogs or lugs might not function properly. Spring arm 70 has a lower setof cam surfaces 71. 72 for cooperating with the lower latching dogs 73,74 in the same manner as previously described for the upper cam surfacesof arm 43.

When the spring arm 70 is rotated counterclockwise. it will release boththe dog 49 and dog 74 so that the stored energy in two of the stretchedsprings will rapidly rotate or snap the switch blade to closed position.Similarly. movement in the opposite direction will open the switch.

It should be apparent that variations can be made in details ofconstruction without departing from the spirit of the invention exceptas defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric switch mechanism. the combination including framemeans. switch blade means including 4 spaced blades pivotally mounted onsaid frame, stationary switch contact means engageable with said switchblade means. stored energy operating means in said frame means includinga pair of spaced plates and a shaft extending therebetween andprojecting outwardly therefrom, stationary lug means on said frame. apair of latching dogs pivoted at their opposite ends to one of saidplates on either side of and engagcable with said latching dogs forholding said operating means from movement until said latching dogs arereleased and for controlling movement in either direction. switch handlemeans arranged on said shaft. a spring arm mounted on and rotatable bysaid shaft, a series of spring means connected to opposing ends of saidspring arm. the outer ends of said spring means being connected to pinmeans slidably arranged in slot means in one of said plates, said switchhandle means being rotated to move said switch blade means relative tosaid switch contact means and to rotate said plates, spring arm andlatching dogs therewith to release said latching dogs from saidstationary lug means, whereby at a predetermined position of said handlemeans said spring arm will be released from said lug means and saidspring means will abruptly move said switch blade means relative to saidcontact means.

2. ln a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said arm meanshas cam surfaces thereon contactable with said latching dogs forunlatching the same.

3. ln a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are atleast two latching means and said spring arm means has cam surfaces forreleasing both latching means.

4. ln a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring armmeans is connected to four springs connecting said arm means to saidoperating means.

5. In a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each blade meanscomprises two blades with flared ends and the blades are resilientlyheld relative to each other.

6. In a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are aplurality of switch blade means carried on a bar attached to saidoperating means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION November 11, 1975a Patent No. 5,919,512 Dated Dick Ray, deceased, late of Tulsa,Oklahoma, by Inventofls) Juel O. Rav. Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Mac Ray,Brookings,

South Dakota, Sole Heirs It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Patent Front Page, [76], Dick Ray, deceased, late of Tulsa, Oklahoma, byJuel 0. Ray, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Mac Ray, Brookings, South Dakota, SoleHeirs.

q Signed and Sealed this sixth Day of April1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH- C. MRSON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissionernflatz'nrs and Trademarks FORM Po-1050 (10-69) uscoMM-oc 60376-P69 U.S.GOVKRNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 869- 930

1. In an electric switch mechanism, the combination including framemeans, switch blade means including spaced blades pivotally mounted onsaid frame, stationary switch contact means engageable with said switchblade means, stored energy operating means in said frame means includinga pair of spaced plates and a shaft extending therebetween andprojecting outwardly therefrom, stationary lug means on said frame, apair of latching dogs pivoted at their opposite ends to one of saidplates on either side of and engageable with said latching dogs forholding said operating means from movement until said latching dogs arereleased and for controlling movement in either direction, switch handlemeans arranged on said shaft, a spring arm mounted on and rotatable bysaid shaft, a series of spring means connected to opposing ends of saidspring arm, the outer ends of said spring means being connected to pinmeans slidably arranged in slot means in one of said plates, said switchhandle means being rotated to move said switch blade means relative tosaid switch contact means and to rotate said plates, spring arm andlatching dogs therewith to release said latching dogs from saidstationary lug means, whereby at a predetermined position of said handlemeans said spring arm will be released from said lug means and saidspring means will abruptly move said switch blade means relative to saidcontact means.
 2. In a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid arm means has cam surfaces thereon contactable with said latchingdogs for unlatching the same.
 3. In a switch mechanism as claimed inclaim 1 wherein there are at least two latching means and said springarm means has cam surfaces for releasing both latching means.
 4. In aswitch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring arm means isconnected to four springs connecting said arm means to said operatingmeans.
 5. In a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each blademeans comprises two blades with flared ends and the blades areresiliently held relative to each other.
 6. In a switch mechanism asclaimed in claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of switch blade meanscarried on a bar attached to said operating meAns.